Pirate's Freedom

Five days later, Jiuli, on the mountain road.

"Is that you? Breaking fine swords with your bare hands and asking everyone around me what are you doing?!"

A man wearing a Tengu mask, with wings on his back, and looked like a Tengu stopped Tata Tot.

"[Knifesmith] Tenguyama Feiteru, what I have done recently is indeed a bit rude, but there is a question that I want to know the answer to no matter what."

The real owner finally appeared in front of him, and Tata Tot, who had been looking for him for many days, was refreshed.

"All the [Blade Craftsmen] I have met have no idea about this. After much thought, in this [Wano Country], the only one who is most likely to know the answer is you, who forged [Kiki Tetsu]."

Tata Tot asked seriously.

"I would like to ask - how is [Black Knife] made?"

Hearing this question, Tenguyama Feite carefully looked at Tata Tot and said.

"No matter how you look at it, you don't look like a swordsman. Besides, you did that kind of behavior. Whether you can refine the [Black Sword] shouldn't mean anything to you, right?"

"Indeed, I don't need a black knife, but-"

The unabashed Tata Tot asked with a smile.

"Swords can be made, why can't people make them?"

……

On the bridge connecting Guri and Nozomi, Tata Toto walked slowly, and the water flowed rapidly under the bridge.

[How bold, no one has ever had such an idea...]

[I don’t know if this is possible, I can only tell you - how the "black knife" is made...]

"Let me trust the sword in my hand and fight the enemy wholeheartedly. Let's forget it."

Thinking of what Tenguyama Fei Te said to him, Tata Tot felt helpless.

"No matter what, steel can't be stronger than flesh that has been tempered for a long time."

"But..." Tata Tot said thoughtfully, "Do you pour your feelings and heart into it?"

……

Nine miles, Oden City.

Wearing sunglasses, a four-leaf clover kimono, and a long ponytail, Kozuki's retainers Denjiro and Kikunojo were sitting on the porch.

[Orochi is neither a "general" nor a "dictator". As the descendant of the Kutan family who poisoned the other daimyo, his purpose is not to "rule", but to "revenge"! 】

["Even if we launch a war, do you want to prevent us from continuing to arrest people? Then your losses will be huge!" He proposed a plan——]

[As long as he jumps in time every week to apologize to the "Black Tan Family", he will release 100 hostages every time. After five years, the ship is built, and he and Kaido will go to sea and leave the country...]

"I see, my lord has always been carrying this burden..."

Recalling the truth that Kozuki Oden revealed to everyone a few days ago, Denjiro clenched his hands.

"It is really a shame for our retainers to let the Lord fight alone!"

"but……"

[Get ready to defeat Kaido! 】

Denjiro's mood was a little high.

"I have been waiting for this day for a long time."

Kikunochei mentioned the focus of everyone’s recent actions.

"Before that, we must find a way to rescue the people who were held hostage by Orochi, so that we can have no worries during the decisive battle."

"Kinemon-san is very resourceful, he must have thought of a way."

Denjiro has inexplicable confidence in Kinemon.

"makes sense."

Kikunocheng nodded in agreement and brought up another topic.

"However, it is really not easy for Mr. Rao to make such a big change in Lord Oden's attitude!"

Having said this, he showed a beautiful smile.

"Mrs. Shi said that Mr. Rao has some kind of connection with [Wano Country]——"

"Be patient!!"

With lightning-like eyebrows, a crescent scar on his forehead, a crab-like hairstyle, and a two-headed ninja wearing a traditional kimono, Kozuki's retainer Raizo jumped down from the eaves, landed on the ground and knelt down on one knee.

"Raizou! Why are you back?"

Denjiro and Kikunochei were both a little surprised.

"Aren't you going to [Orochi City] to inquire about information?"

"Something happened!"

Raizo said eagerly as he stood up.

"Rao rushed into [Orochi City]!"

"Did you just break in like that?!"

Denjiro said in disbelief.

"This is too messy!!"

Kikuchi Cheng also covered his mouth.

"What an amazing move..."

……

The Capital of Flowers, Big Snake City.

"Bengbengbeng~bengbengbeng~"

The long-haired old man with a severely receding hairline was playing the pipa behind the big snake.

"Have you found out what Rao is doing recently?"

With a sullen face, Orochi asked the spy in front of him who was dressed like a gangster.

"The villain obeyed the general's instructions and did not follow the man directly. Instead, he went to get information after he left."

The kneeling spy leaned down and answered respectfully.

"In the past few days, that guy has been appearing in various workshops. He seems to be looking for a knifesmith named Tenguyama Hito. As for what he is doing, I don't know yet."

"What's the problem? Just go and catch the knife maker."

Orochi ordered without hesitation.

"The more hostages, the better. If Rao was like that fool Oden, things would be much easier to handle."

"However, I didn't expect that Kaido would also call for help..."

Sitting on the other side was a skinny old woman who looked like a goddess. Hei Tan Mu Chan reminded her, "That guy named Rao should not be underestimated."

"I heard that he defeated the great pirate who was as famous as Kaido in the outer sea," Orochi's face twisted, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Why does this guy come to [Wano Country] to hinder me!"

"Didn't you already inquire clearly?" Hei Tan Mu Chan showed a sinister smile.

"That guy doesn't want to join forces with Oden at all. With our internal support, as long as we use a little trick, we can get them entangled together until Kaido's help arrives..."

Black Tan Mu Chan became more and more excited, stood up and danced.

"When the time comes, you will become a true general, allowing our Heitan family to rule [Wano Country] from generation to generation. Our ancestors' long-cherished wish will finally come true!"

"Mmm hahahaha...!"

The big snake laughed.

"Ehehehehe...!"

Black Tan Mu Chan also laughed.

"Ah ah--!!!"

A scream came from downstairs.

"Lord Orochi, please reply!"

A panicked voice came from the smart snail on the table.

"Someone has entered the city!"

"All soldiers are destroyed! Please run away!"

Along with the constant screams, a burst of footsteps came from the corridor from far to near.

What? !who is it? !what happened? !

His hands trembled, and the cups on the table were unconsciously swept to the ground. The big snake stared at the door.

With a "swish" sound, the paper sliding door facing the big snake opened, and a masked figure appeared in front of several people.

"Ahhhhhh...!!!"

The big snake that got up in panic tripped over itself and retreated on its hands and feet.

"General Orochi, there is no need to panic. Please believe in this [barrier] technique."

The index and middle fingers of both hands were intertwined, and [Pipa Master] Heitan Chanwan stopped playing and said calmly.

"The [barrier] is one that others cannot approach."

"Ehehehe...!"

The black charcoal cicada let out a harsh laugh.

"Rao, since you come from the outer sea, you should know the extraordinary power of [Devil Fruit]!"

"Mmm hahaha...!! If violence could solve the problem, I would have been killed long ago."

Forcibly calming down, the big snake emphasized loudly to Tata Tot with a fierce expression.

"No one can kill me!!"

"Rao, your strength is meaningless!!"